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6 Characters Who Became the Stars of Their Own Spinoff Films

From Gru's minion companions to Shrek's sidekick Puss in Boots, these popular supporting characters became their own film leads.

1. Minions (2015)

Though the Minions first were introduced as criminal mastermind Gru's underlings in 2010's Despicable Me and its 2013 sequel, Despicable Me 2, the new prequel to the franchise follows three of them on their initial quest to find a master to serve.

2. The Wolverine (2013)

One of Marvel's X-Men, Wolverine (played by Hugh Jackman) was the center of two spinoff films, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013). Jackman will portray the mutant superhero one final time in an upcoming sequel, slated for a March 2017 release.

3. Puss in Boots (2011)

Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) first appeared in 2004's Shrek 2 as one of Shrek's animal allies, alongside Donkey. Seven years later, the feline character became the lead of a self-titled prequel based on his life before crossing paths with Shrek and Donkey.

4. Get Him to the Greek (2010)

Wild English rocker Aldous Snow (played by Russell Brand) stole the spotlight as a supporting character in 2008's Forgetting Sarah Marshall and eventually became the lead character of his own spinoff film, Get Him to the Greek. Brand starred opposite Jonah Hill in the comedy.

5. Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Though Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria were the animal stars of the original Madagascar films, penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private were brought to the forefront of the animated franchise in a 2014 character spinoff.

6. This Is 40 (2012)

Debbie (played byLeslie Mann) first appeared as Alison Scott's (Katherine Heigl) sister in 2007's Knocked Up, which focused on the series of events that occur after Alison has a one-night stand. In 2012, stand-alone sequel This Is 40 shifted the focus to Mann's character and her rocky marriage to husband Pete (Paul Rudd).